SMI council tax

dorsetd

My Mother has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, vascular dementia and a possible stroke.We completed the form sent by the council to claim for smi discount (she lives alone). I am still waiting for a reply from the council over 8 months later (despite four online and telephone contacts). Their last answer was that it was in someone's in box. Coupled with this her GP charged her either £25 or £30 (can't remember which) for completing the form - a date, a signature and possibly 5 words confirming her diagnosis. I have been told by a third party that GPs should not charge for this but can find no confirmation anywhere - can anyone help? Also any suggestions for help getting sensible replies from the council greatfully received (Somerset West and Taunton). Many thanks

Robbie64

Contact your local councillor. They should chase it up for you.

peteuk

GPS generally do charge for additional work.  It would have been easier to get copies of specialist reports (discharge letters, out patients consultations) as a copy is usually sent to the patient.   This would have shown diagnosis, treatment etc. 

Not sure you can question your Gp, I take it you’ve paid. 

Murphybear

peteuk said:

GPS generally do charge for additional work.  It would have been easier to get copies of specialist reports (discharge letters, out patients consultations) as a copy is usually sent to the patient.   This would have shown diagnosis, treatment etc. 

Not sure you can question your Gp, I take it you’ve paid. 

I am wondering if its up to the individual GP surgery.  I needed a letter from my GP confirming I had a particular health issue and I wasn’t charged anything.  

Rubyroobs

Does your mum receive a disability benefit ?

sheramber

Murphybear said:

peteuk said:

GPS generally do charge for additional work.  It would have been easier to get copies of specialist reports (discharge letters, out patients consultations) as a copy is usually sent to the patient.   This would have shown diagnosis, treatment etc. 

Not sure you can question your Gp, I take it you’ve paid. 

I am wondering if its up to the individual GP surgery.  I needed a letter from my GP confirming I had a particular health issue and I wasn’t charged anything.  

We used a small rural surgery and my GP did not charge  us.

A GP can charge  and probably does in a large surgery where patients are more anonymous.

poppy10_2

sheramber said:

Murphybear said:

peteuk said:

GPS generally do charge for additional work.  It would have been easier to get copies of specialist reports (discharge letters, out patients consultations) as a copy is usually sent to the patient.   This would have shown diagnosis, treatment etc. 

Not sure you can question your Gp, I take it you’ve paid. 

I am wondering if its up to the individual GP surgery.  I needed a letter from my GP confirming I had a particular health issue and I wasn’t charged anything.  

We used a small rural surgery and my GP did not charge  us.

A GP can charge  and probably does in a large surgery where patients are more anonymous.

GPs are not allowed to charge for the SMI form. They can charge for lots of other forms but not the SMI form - it's one of several "prescribed medical certificates" that must be completed free of charge for anyone that is eligible for the discount. It is unlawful for your GP to charge for the form. Get a refund, and refer them to section 17.1 of the GMS contract (similar terms are in the other GP contracts PMS and APMS) which specified that they must provide the form and must not charge for it.

dorsetd

Thank you everyone for your comments, very helpful.

dorsetd

Robbie64 said:

Contact your local councillor. They should chase it up for you.

Thank you, I hadn't thought of that. The council are proving to be the more difficult party now by wanting paperwork that is somewhere between 15 and 20 years old and has probably long been consigned to the bin by my Mother.

dorsetd

peteuk said:

GPS generally do charge for additional work.  It would have been easier to get copies of specialist reports (discharge letters, out patients consultations) as a copy is usually sent to the patient.   This would have shown diagnosis, treatment etc. 

Not sure you can question your Gp, I take it you’ve paid. 

We have paid, yes but I am going to contact them for a refund as another poster has suggested as I thought that the SMI form should be completed free of charge. We have had no correspondence from the GP or consultant confirming diagnosis (all done face to face) but the council wouldn't accept this in any case - I did ask. Thank you for taking the trouble to reply.

dorsetd

Rubyroobs said:

Does your mum receive a disability benefit ?

Just attendance allowance.